“Chelsea have broken up that partnership and strengthened their rivals. All of a sudden United are in the driving seat ahead of Chelsea to win the Premier League.

“Chelsea are weaker than last season - no Diego Costa, no Matic - and I'm concerned for them. Is Tiemoue Bakayoko a similar type of player to Matic? Will he gel alongside Kante?

GETTY

Nemanja Matic left Chelsea for Manchester United this summer

“Matic has intelligence and experience of the Premier League. Bakayoko has not and I saw him in the Champions League last year. He was good in some games, inexperienced in others. He will take time to settle.

“I think the [Matic] sale at this moment in time, with that Chelsea squad, could cost them the league.”

United start their Premier League campaign on Sunday when they host West Ham.